Carreon looks good at plate again

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, June 5, 1996

CINCINNATI - The one positive to come out of Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to the Reds was the apparent success manager Dusty Baker and batting coach Bobby Bonds had in getting Mark Carreon healthy at the plate.

Carreon, who was 13-for-70 going into Cincinnati and singled as a pinch hitter Monday night, doubled Matt Williams home for the Giants' lone run Tuesday and hit the ball hard in another at-bat that resulted in a fly out.

"That's a plus. Now, hopefully, we can get Steve Scarsone back tomorrow," said Baker, who gave Carreon two starts off and had a very long talk with the first baseman on Sunday night. Bonds also spent extra time working with Carreon at the hitting cage.

Scarsone got Tuesday night off after striking out four times in five at-bats the night before.

"Bobby and I talked to Steve. Today's a learning day for him," Baker said. "You can learn by sitting and watching who's going good and who's going poorly, who's got slow feet and who doesn't. Lots of times that can straighten you out."

ALL-STARS AGAIN? Despite his image problems, which he blames on the media, Barry Bonds was the top vote-getter among outfielders when the first National League All-Star tally was released. Matt Williams led all third basemen.

"I don't want to think about that now. We've got to win us some games," Williams said. "It's nice to know people vote for you and appreciate the job that you're doing. It's flattering."

MEDICAL UPDATE: Right fielder Glenallen Hill will have his broken left wrist re-examined in the Bay Area Thursday by Dr. Warren King. The wrist will be X-rayed again and hooked up to a bone stimulation machine before a new cast is placed.

The Giants also reported second baseman Robby Thompson (whiplash) is feeling better.

ETC.: Shawon Dunston's diving catch of Bret Boone's drive in the first inning saved a run. . . . General manager Bob Quinn said he is "probably not" interested in left-hander Greg Swindell, who was placed on waivers by Houston on Monday.&lt;